Alex Volkanovski took well deserved some time out at an Illawarra Hawks game on Thursday fresh from his UFC victory over three-time contender Chad Mendes in LA. Volkanovski started the New Year by calling out world featherweight title-holder Max Holloway for a shot at becoming the world featherweight champion in the UFC. Something no Australian has done before. But this week he got to relax a little as a special guest at a Hawks home game. Others to enjoy NBA action court-side in recent weeks have included surfing champ Sally Fitzgibbons and former Dragon Wendell Sailor. Hawks general manager Mat Campbell said it was a chance for a club on the national sporting stage to showcase other local sporting talent. “It also adds to the experience of the night from a general fan point of view,” he said. “It is an opportunity to run into one of these celebrities. And it is good to add that celebrity power because we get a bit more exposure from the club point of view”. Read more: Volkanovski puts himself in UFC title frame with Mendes stoppage Alex Volkanovski named Illawarra Mercury People's Choice for Sportsperson of the Year Your 12 greatest Illawarra Hawks of all time revealed

Illawarra Hawks’ sporting gesture to Shellharbour’s Alex Volkanovski

Volkanovski started the New Year by calling out world featherweight title-holder Max Holloway for a shot at becoming the world featherweight champion in the UFC. Something no Australian has done before. But this week he got to relax a little as a special guest at a Hawks home game.

Others to enjoy NBA action court-side in recent weeks have included surfing champ Sally Fitzgibbons and former Dragon Wendell Sailor.

Hawks general manager Mat Campbell said it was a chance for a club on the national sporting stage to showcase other local sporting talent.

“It also adds to the experience of the night from a general fan point of view,” he said.

“It is an opportunity to run into one of these celebrities. And it is good to add that celebrity power because we get a bit more exposure from the club point of view”.